2016 Last Season for Stewart, Bowyer Destined for No. 14

Sometimes rumors end up being true. Soon after it was made public that Michael Waltrip Racing would cease operations at the conclusion of the 2015 season, rumors started swirling as to where Clint Bowyer would go.

Initial rumors suggested he would follow MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman to be a third car at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, but Kauffman himself soon squashed that rumor.

Soon after though, another rumor popped up.

Bowyer would go to the HScott Motorsports No. 51 for 2016, along with sponsorship from 5 Hour Energy, but that the No. 51 stop would be a single year with the ultimate goal of putting Clint Bowyer in the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 when Tony Stewart retired. While all of that is still not official from anyone, the rumor stands and is starting to be solidified.

It has now been announced that SHR has scheduled a news conference for 1:00pm Eastern time this Wednesday at the team’s Kannapolis shop. It is widely expected that Stewart will announce that 2016 will be his final season as a driver. Additionally, the team confirmed that Gene Haas will attend the announcement as well.

Industry sources told ESPN’s Marty Smith that it will also be revealed in this press conference that Bowyer will be the No. 14 driver from 2017 going forward.

Next weekend at Dover International Speedway, sources said it is expected that HScott Motorsports will announce Bowyer as the driver of the No. 51 Chevrolet in 2016.

As a huge fan of Bowyer, this will be an interesting week to watch, hopeful that getting to drive Hendrick power in 2017 and beyond will get his career back on track.